With PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda riders Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin unfit to compete in the sixth WorldSBK round in the Czech Republic, it was replacement riders Hayden Gillim and Tati Mercado who took to the track for the day’s two free practice sessions. 

Mercado has previous track knowledge, having raced at Most in 2022, and knows the CBR1000RR-R but is working with a new team this weekend. Tati was able to harness his experience and take a step already during FP1, systematically improving on his times, particularly in the latter stages, to close twenty-second with a best of 1’34.772. American Gillim has never visited the Most circuit before, and so he largely used this first day to familiarise with the track, but also with the bike, team and tyres, all new to a rider more familiar with the MotoAmerica series. Like Tati, Hayden made the most of the dry, sunny conditions, gradually lowering his lap times as he began to get to grips with both bike and track. Setting a 1’35.726 in the final stages, he placed twenty-third. 

During the afternoon’s second practice and despite hotter conditions (air temp. 29°C, track temp. 44°C), the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda duo continued to work hard in preparation for the weekend’s three races. Mercado’s best reference, a 1’33.933, saw him consolidate twenty-second in the day’s aggregate standings while Gillim continued to move in the right direction, taking well over a second off his best of FP1 to close in twenty-third place (1’34.350), just a few tenths from his team-mate. Both riders are confident that there is room for improvement in tomorrow’s final practice before they head back out on track for the Superpole session and the first of the weekend’s races. 

Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado 

“Honestly, I achieved what I set out to do, which was to adapt to the bike and improve with every exit. We took a step in FP2 but there is more to do of course. I want to improve my feeling particularly on corner entry and with the rear grip, but we’re working hard and hopefully we can make another step tomorrow that allows us to lap consistently in tomorrow’s race. It’s a very different bike to what I’m used to and so I need to adapt to it and set it up to suit my characteristics. We’ve only had two sessions but hopefully we can continue in a positive way tomorrow.” 

Hayden Gillim 

“Today was a great day. I’ve really enjoyed riding a WorldSBK spec bike for the first time, working with the team, and learning the Most track. It’s a tough one, where it’s important to get your lines right, but we’ve made big improvements every time we have gone out. I have some things to work on so that I can ride the bike better and the crew is working hard to make me more comfortable. Thanks to the team and all the fans for the support; I’m already looking forward to getting back to work in the morning.”